Martin Mason Hazeltine was born in Vermont on July 31, 1827. He was first active in several cities on the east coast including, New York and Chicago. In 1853 Hazeltine moved to San Francisco with his brother George Irving Hazeltine and they operated a studio together till 1855. During his time in California Hazeltine also traveled around the state taking stereoview photographs documenting many places, including Yosemite Valley and the Sierra Butte Mine. In 1880 he moved to Baker City, Oregon where he ran a studio till his death on Febuary 16, 1903. While living in Oregon, Hazeltine also traveled to Idaho and Nevada where he took stereoview scenes of the region.